On June 25, 2025, Ms. Nipa Nirannoot, Consul-General of Thailand to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, along with officials and staff from the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Dubai, paid a courtesy call on Mrs. Hala Badri, Director- General of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) at the Dubai Culture’s Office. The meeting was also attended by executives and experts from Dubai Culture in fields of culture, cultural heritage, arts, design, literature and museums.

 

On this occasion, both sides discussed and agreed on activities to promote cultural cooperation between Thailand and the UAE, particularly as part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Thailand and the UAE in 2025, as proposed by the Consulate-General, as follow:

 

1. Showcasing of national identity through cultural performances, especially Thai and UAE performing arts that are listed as intangible cultural heritages of humanity, at the Thailand-UAE Commemorative 50-Year Gala Night scheduled for early December 2025. The Consulate-General will host the event and bring in the renown Thai “Kaikaew Theater” troupe to perform Khon masked dance, Nora (Southern Thai dance-drama), as well as Thai contemporary dances. Additionally, the Consulate-General will also present the "Friends of Thailand" Award to Dubai Culture at the Gala Night to express appreciation and to honor Dubai Culture’s close partnership with Thailand.

 

2. Supporting and providing opportunities for Thai artists to display their work at Dubai’s annual art and cultural events such as the Sikka Art and Design Festival, Dubai Design Week and Dubai Public Art. The Consulate-General had initially submitted profiles of outstanding Thai craftsmen, including those affiliated with Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) (SACIT), for Dubai Culture’s consideration.

 

3. Inviting Dubai Culture’s delegation to visit Thailand to discuss on having the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cultural cooperation with relevant Thai cultural agencies.

The above activities not only aim to enhance cultural collaboration at the national level and foster relationships among artists and citizens of both countries, but also will help drive Thailand’s cultural diplomacy from “Local to Global”.

 

Dubai Culture was established by the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai as the main agency responsible for cultural affairs in Dubai at both the local and international levels, with the mission of making Dubai a global hub for arts and culture.